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Very Good

#2529 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 27% in state

Marian A. Peterson Middle

Middle School · Santa Clara Unified

1380 Rosalia Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 94087

Enrollment

741

Student-Teacher

21.8:1

Score

7.4

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Sunnyvale

#6 of 18

public schools

California middle schools

#322 of 1,349

In district

#12 of 28

Santa Clara Unified

School environment

8.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Marian A. Peterson Middle

Marian A. Peterson Middle serves 741 students in grades 6-8 in Sunnyvale, California, earning a strong MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10. The school ranks in the 84th percentile statewide, placing #1552 among California's 9,566 schools, with particularly solid academic performance reflected in its 8.5 academic score.

Students at Peterson Middle demonstrate notable proficiency in core subjects, with 67% achieving proficient or above levels in English Language Arts and Reading, and 56% reaching proficiency in mathematics. The school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 21.8 to 1 with 34 full-time equivalent teachers supporting the student body. The school draws from an exceptionally well-educated community in the 94087 ZIP code, where 75% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income reaches $196,611.

This affluent area, with a median home value of $2 million and a low poverty rate of just 4.1%, reflects the broader prosperity of Silicon Valley. Peterson Middle operates as a regular public school within Sunnyvale's mid-size city environment, benefiting from the area's strong emphasis on education and the resources available in this thriving tech hub community.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Marian A. Peterson Middle is 21.8:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.2Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-0.96 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics7.9Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency55.8%
Reading/ELA Proficiency66.7%
Math vs. State Avg+21.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+20.8 pts
Overall Proficiency61%
Expected (poverty-adj.)63%
vs. Expected-1.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile68th
Resources & Environment8.5Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$24,111

Marian A. Peterson Middle — Students at Marian A. Peterson Middle score 61% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 63%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

22.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 57.0%
School
State
33.9%
ELA Proficiency 67.4%
School
State
46.6%

Based on 10 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
62%
ELA
70%
2024
Math
55.7%
ELA
66.7%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.2/10.

How Marian A. Peterson Middle Compares

See how Marian A. Peterson Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.4/10
74th percentile in CA
Academic
7.9/10
7.9/10
Growth
6.2/10
Above average
Environment
8.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
23%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
34 teachers

Location

1380 Rosalia Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 94087

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Marian A. Peterson Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Sutter Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Santa Clara), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Laurelwood Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 0.5 miles away, in nearby Santa Clara), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, SILICON VALLEY ACADEMY (rated 7.4/10, 0.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Sunnyvale, see our Sunnyvale schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.7 mi
School Distance Rating
STRATFORD MIDDLE SCHOOL Sunnyvale 0.3 mi 6.1
SILICON VALLEY ACADEMY Sunnyvale 0.3 mi 7.4
Laurelwood Elementary Santa Clara 0.5 mi 8.3
Ponderosa Elementary Sunnyvale 0.9 mi 5.5
New Valley Continuation High Santa Clara 0.8 mi 6.2
St. Lawrence School Santa Clara 0.9 mi
ST LAWRENCE ELEMENTARY/MIDDLE SCHOOL Santa Clara 0.9 mi 6.7
KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTERS Santa Clara 1.0 mi
Santa Clara Community Day Santa Clara 1.0 mi
MONTICELLO ACADEMY Santa Clara 1.1 mi 6.0
Braly Elementary Sunnyvale 1.2 mi 6.0
Pomeroy Elementary Santa Clara 1.1 mi 6.3
Louis E. Stocklmeir Elementary Sunnyvale 1.1 mi 5.7
STRATFORD SCHOOL - SANTA CLARA POMEROY Santa Clara 1.2 mi 6.4
Briarwood Elementary Santa Clara 1.2 mi 5.4
NEIGHBORHOOD CHRISTIAN CENTER Santa Clara 1.2 mi
SANTA CLARA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Santa Clara 1.5 mi 7.2
Santa Clara High Santa Clara 1.3 mi 7.2
Sutter Elementary Santa Clara 1.5 mi 8.4
Ellis Elementary Sunnyvale 1.7 mi 6.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 94087 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$200,778

Median Home Value

$2,000,001

Median Rent

$3,222/mo

Population

58,126

College Educated

76.6%

Homeownership

55.4%

Avg Commute

23.4 min

Poverty Rate

4.1%

Median Age

38

Community Profile

The community surrounding Marian A. Peterson Middle has a median household income of $200,778. It is a well-educated community where 77% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $2,000,001, with a median rent of $3,222/month. The local poverty rate of 4.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Baird Middle Fresno, CA 7.4
Brea Junior High Brea, CA 7.4
Chaboya Middle San Jose, CA 7.4
Christa McAuliffe Middle Stockton, CA 7.4
Colina Middle Thousand Oaks, CA 7.4
Coronado Middle Coronado, CA 7.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Marian A. Peterson Middle

What grades does Marian A. Peterson Middle serve?

Marian A. Peterson Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Marian A. Peterson Middle?

Marian A. Peterson Middle has an enrollment of approximately 741 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Marian A. Peterson Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Marian A. Peterson Middle is 21.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Marian A. Peterson Middle rank in CA?

Marian A. Peterson Middle is ranked #2529 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Marian A. Peterson Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Marian A. Peterson Middle has a composite rating of 7.4 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Marian A. Peterson Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Marian A. Peterson Middle has 57.0% math proficiency and 67.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Marian A. Peterson Middle a charter school?

No, Marian A. Peterson Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Marian A. Peterson Middle a Title I school?

No, Marian A. Peterson Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Marian A. Peterson Middle?

22.5% of students at Marian A. Peterson Middle qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
28 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
42 Some Transit
Bike Score
56 Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,176/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Sunnyvale). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
741
Student-Teacher Ratio
21.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
34
Free/Reduced Lunch
22.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Santa Clara County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Santa Clara Unified
District Enrollment
14,236
Schools in District
30
Per-Pupil Spending
$27,283
District Rank
#12 of 28

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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